Abstract:Objective:To investigate the role of the spleen in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis(AP).
Methods :The studied rats were divided randomly into four groups:Sham operation group, splenectomy group, AP group and AP with splenectomy group.The rats were sacrificed at 3h,6h and 12h after operation, and spleen and pancreas were removed for examination. Light microscopy was used to examine pancreatic tissues for pathologic change and to assess pathology score. Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the activity of splenic NF-κB(p65) in the rats with AP.
Results:The pancreas pathology score in the AP with splenectomy group was significantly lower than that in AP group at 6h(7.83±0.753vs 9.67±1.211) and 12 h (9.67±0.816 vs13±0.894) after operation (P<0.01). The positive expression of splenic NF-κB(p65) began to be intensified at 3 h(46.967±1.148),peaked at 6h(56.333±1.588),attenuated at 12h(36.900±0.756) in the rats with AP, and all showed significant differences compared with that in sham operation group(3.400±0.800).
Conclusions:The spleen can significantly promote the production and release of inflammatory mediators in AP, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AP.